Page 32 of You've Found Oliver

It’s a whirlwind of a school week. I’m trying to pin down my schedule as I sit through my old classes.

I never thought I’d have to memorize the geologic time scale again.

I don’t remember where any of my notes are.

Is it really possible I’m stuck here? And I have to take all my finals again?

I was freaking out about that, but some things have started to come back to me.

Like memories, filling the gaps in my head.

Maybe it’s not the end of the world if I stay.

Who wouldn’t want to redo the last six months of their life?

Especially if it means being closer to someone you love.

Ben is coming to see me later. It’s been difficult making plans over text since my phone is still acting up.

I’ve had to restart it several times this morning.

I wish I could just call to hear the sound of his voice.

But it doesn’t matter, because at least this means I’ll get to spend more time with him.

After all, he’s the main reason I’m back here. Right?

We’re planning to meet up after class. I wanted to introduce him to Mom at our Thursday dinner, but she isn’t really speaking to me.

She canceled dinner tonight and took an extra shift at the restaurant.

I know she’s still upset about me missing her birthday.

I wish she would give me a chance to make it up to her.

At least Julie is still around. I’ve missed her so much.

I know she and Ben already met briefly, but I can’t wait for her to start actually getting to know him.

We’re all going to grab some food in town when he arrives.

I invited her this morning, when I met her at the library again.

She was sitting at her usual spot, staring silently out the window.

There was something so sad and lonely about it. I wonder what she was thinking about.

It was always her plan to leave Ellensburg.

She never really liked it here, which I don’t blame her for.

Especially after Sam died. I know she’ll be in Copenhagen in the spring, but it feels like I’ve trapped her into some temporary limbo with me.

I remember how happy she sounded over the phone.

I almost miss hearing all the stories she shared about her travels.

I’m trying not to think about it too much.

It’s not like there’s anything I can do about it now.

I’m meeting Ben outside of Sun and Moon.

I know it hasn’t actually been that long since we saw each other, but these last few days have felt like months.

My body floods with happiness when I turn the corner and see Ben standing on the sidewalk, holding flowers.

A smile blooms across his face, and I wrap my arms around him, pressing myself against him.

All my stress falls away when we’re together.

I breathe in the familiar scent on his shirt.

Then I glance at the flowers and say, “Are those for me?”

“Oh, no. They’re actually for Julie.”

“You brought them for Julie ?”

“I want to make sure to leave a good impression,” he says. “Since I know her opinion is important to you.”

“Oh, that’s sweet of you. But I like flowers, too, you know?” I crack a smile. “Besides, I’m sure she’ll love you no matter what. You guys actually have a lot in common.”

“Hopefully. Are we waiting for her here?”

“She had to stop at home first.” I check my phone again. “She says she’ll meet us at the diner. You’ll like it. They serve breakfast all day.”

“Hopefully not as good as mine,” he says, smiling. “I’m actually starving though.”

Mo’s is your typical small-town diner. It’s changed names and owners several times over the years, but the décor pretty much stays the same.

Round barstools, checkered linoleum floors, a jukebox playing in the corner.

We sit close together on the same side of the booth, and Ben tells me about his busy week at school.

The research project he’s working on in the lab might get published next year.

“The one about black holes?” I ask.

Ben nods. “It’s being reviewed right now, so we’ll see where it goes.”

Finally, Julie comes through the door. She takes a seat on the other side of the booth and sighs. “Sorry I’m late. I had to help my mom check the house for microphones. She thinks the government is listening to us again.” She smiles politely at Ben. “Hi. I believe we’ve already met.”

Ben smiles back. “Only briefly. Apologies for interrupting your date last time,” he says.

I shrug. “Eh, never liked the guy anyway. Scottie, right?”

“His name was Craig .”

“Whatever.”

“Oliver mentioned you’re from Seattle,” Ben says.

Julie nods. “Yeah, I grew up there.”

“I think I can tell.”

“Is that so? I’m guessing you’re from there, too, then.”

“No, but I go to the University of Washington.”

“Oh, really?” she says, leaning into the table. “Both my parents graduated from there. That’s actually where they met. What are you studying?”

“Astronomy.”

“Interesting.” Julie glances between us. “Remind me how you guys met?”

I should probably answer this one, but I’m curious to see what he comes up with, so I lean back and say teasingly, “Yeah, Ben. Why don’t you tell her the story.”

Ben blinks at me. “You want me to answer?” He takes a second to think. “Wer…met at a research conference.”

Julie raises a brow. “Oliver…at a research conference ? Did he wander in there by accident or something?”

I shoot her a look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oliver actually knows a lot about space,” Ben says, touching my shoulder. “At least in the abstract sense. He came up to my presentation on black holes and asked a lot of thoughtful questions.”

Julie points to me. “ This Oliver?”

I throw up my hands. “What’s so hard to believe?”

“I just didn’t know you were interested in astronomy,” she says, shrugging.

“Then maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

The waitress comes to take our order. As usual, Julie orders a Greek salad with a side of fries. Ben and I are going to share the country fried steak and a blueberry waffle. The moment the waitress walks off, Julie notices the flowers.

“Whose are those?” she asks, pointing.

“Actually, they’re for you.” Ben hands them to her.

“Oh…really?”

“Oliver mentioned you like roses, too.”

“I do. But what are they for?”

I fold my arms. “Does there need to be a reason?”

“You’re right. That’s really kind of you. Thank you.”

She holds the flowers like she’s not sure what to do with them.

There’s an awkward silence. Thankfully, Ben breaks it by saying, “So, Oliver tells me you’re studying abroad in the spring.”

“Actually, I might not be going.”

I look at her. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear this,” she says, setting the flowers down beside her.

“But I’ll probably being staying here after all.

My dad’s accepting a position in Baltimore, starting in the new school year.

He asked me to stay for the spring since he already thinks we don’t see each other enough. ”

I thought he’d already turned that down. “Didn’t he decide to stay in Seattle for a few more years?”

Julie takes a sip of water. “Apparently, he had another meeting with their provost and changed his mind, so I guess you’ll have me for the whole year.”

I’m not sure how to feel about this news. I’d been trying to convince her to stay for months. I should probably be thrilled about this, but for some reason it doesn’t seem right to celebrate. The waitress comes out with our food. I’m not as hungry all of a sudden.

Julie takes a bit of salad and says, “So, Ben, what else should I know about you?”

“I like to cook sometimes.”

“What kind of food?”

“Nothing too fancy. Unless I have a visitor.” He squeezes my leg under the table. “Oliver tells me you’re an incredible writer.”

“I don’t know about that ,” she says, slightly embarrassed. “But I do write a lot. Mostly poetry these days. I’m in a creative writing class right now.”

“I’m always jealous of creative people,” Ben says. “All the ideas you come up with. I struggle writing birthday cards.”

“Do you read a lot?”

“Not as much as I want to,” he admits. “The last thing I read was The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu. Honestly, I needed time to recover. It’s the only book that’s ever made me cry.”

Julie leans into the table. “Oh my god. I cried, too .”

They continue talking about their favorite books.

Julie offers to give him some recommendations, which is a good sign from her.

Coincidentally, they’ve both studied French, and they go on about some film called The Umbrellas of Cherbourg , which apparently inspired La La Land . Meanwhile, I haven’t seen either movie.

It’s really nice to all sit together, watch them hit it off for the first time. I wonder if they’re getting along a little too well. When they start talking in French, I have to interrupt them. “By the way, I’m also here.”

We finish dinner with an ice cream sundae. Then Ben gets up to use the bathroom. Julie waits a beat before she leans in and whispers, “I like him more than I thought I would.”

“I told you, he’s great.”

“He’s also really cute. Now, tell me how you really met.”

“You heard him. We met at the conference,” I say.

“Oliver.”

“Why is that so hard to believe?!”

Julie releases a frustrated breath. “Fine, don’t tell me. I hope he visits you again though.”

I had a feeling she would approve of Ben. I’m sure the flowers gave him some bonus points. Eventually, we all make our way outside. Ben and I have to get going soon. I’m taking him somewhere special tonight.